The Adams County Arts Council held their Summer Arts Camp on July 20-24 at the West Union Elementary School with a record number of participants this year.

“We had 28 students every day all there every day which pleased us,” Elaine Lafferty, director of the camp said. “It’s so wonderful to see the kids get so excited over a week of creativity.”

The camp, founded by J.R. Bradley, is in its third year of existence and is free for children ages 9-14. The camp typically is held the week after the Adams County Fair so it can include all the children of the area who may spend most of their summer with farm or livestock projects.

Students chose one area of the camp to work all week on: Drawing, which was taught by Adam Watkins and Angel McIlwai; Painting, which was taught by JoAnn White; Sculpture, which was taught by Judy Brown; and Music and Theater, which were combined and taught by Neil DeAtley and Mike Roberts.

Marleen Kidder volunteered her time to help with the sculpture portion of the camp while Betsy Miskell, Sally White and Paulette Roberts helped with food and refreshments for the children throughout the week.

Each day of the camp ended with a portion dedicated to art appreciation where Lafferty taught the children about an artist specifically related to one of the fields of art the camp studied. Those artists were Grandma Moses, Georgia O’Keeffe, Anna Hyatt Huntington and Julie Andrews.

Parents and guardians were treated to view the creations of the students on the final day of the camp which included a play and musical number performed by the music and theater students.

“We had a very good turnout for the show and tell,” Lafferty said. “They enjoyed seeing the results of the painting, sculpture and drawing. We were also entertained by a short play and then music from The Sound of Music.”

Lafferty wanted to thank all those involved in getting the camp off the ground this year.

“I want to thank the custodial staff who were very supportive and helpful,” Lafferty said. “Whatever we needed they were there to help. We also want to thank Ms. Pennington and the Ohio Valley School Board for allowing us to use the facility.”

Reach Charles Grove at 937-544-2391, cgrove@civitasmedia.com or @WUDefender on Twitter.

Here is some of the art created by the students of the camp on display.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_IMG_7760.jpgHere is some of the art created by the students of the camp on display. Charles Grove | People’s Defender

This student is hard at work finishing her drawing on the final day of camp.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_IMG_7762.jpgThis student is hard at work finishing her drawing on the final day of camp. Charles Grove | People’s Defender

Here are two paintings done by students of the camp on display.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_IMG_7765.jpgHere are two paintings done by students of the camp on display. Charles Grove | People’s Defender

On the final day, students performed a play for those in attendence at West Union Elementary School.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_IMG_7780.jpgOn the final day, students performed a play for those in attendence at West Union Elementary School. Charles Grove | People’s Defender

This young man is proposing to his love during the play performed on the final day of camp.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_IMG_7784.jpgThis young man is proposing to his love during the play performed on the final day of camp. Charles Grove | People’s Defender

Pictured here is more action from the play performed on the final day of the camp.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_IMG_7792.jpgPictured here is more action from the play performed on the final day of the camp. Charles Grove | People’s Defender
28 students improve their creativity

By Charles Grove

cgrove@civitasmedia.com